Page 71 of Monsters' Touch

Jealous that he was allowed to experience Lily first. Jealous his relationship with her is easy and full of laughter. While the first thing I did was yell at her.

But those thoughts are useless, and I pull my mind fully to Lily and sum up her plan.

We attend the party with your effervescent friend, and if the occasion arises, we collect as many souls as possible. Is that it?

Yup. I need to tell Michelle. Warn her not to get involved in any—

Absolutely not. You cannot allow her to know more than you already have.

She thought I was joking.

Yes. And she’ll continue to think that as long as you keep quiet on that matter.

I cannot see her, but I imagine her gaze flaming with anger, just like in her bathroom.

I’m not risking my friend’s life.

If it’s her time, it’s her time, Lily. There’s little you can do about that.

NO! I refuse to accept that. That is not what I signed up for. I’m not watching people I care about die, Rhygel. That’s a line I’m not willing to cross.

You must learn that you cannot constrain death. You cannot put boundaries around it or command it what to do.

I can. I have. My mom is proof of that.

You did not do that. We allowed it as a condition of you hosting us. Nothing more.

Well, consider this a condition, too!

“Hey, Lil, You good?”

The friend stares at us, eye to eye.

Lily must have stood at some point during our debate. I was too entrenched in the argument to notice.

“I’m fine, Michelle. I just got excited, sorry.”

“Excited, huh? Is that why you’re so dewy and fresh today? Did the new boy toy just text you or something?”

“Stop. There is no boy toy. And I’m not dewy or fresh.”

“Fine. But you’re glowing like a neon sign.”

“Get back to work, Michelle.”

The friend sits back down with a smirk and I wait to see if Lily brings it up again.

If it comes down to it, I’m saving Michelle. Got it?

Understood.

I remain silent, watching her work without disturbing her for another hour. But after such time, I grow weary of her place of business, of being sedentary.

When do we leave this place?

As soon as I’m done working.

We need to collect.

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